Celebrating young talents in the art of public speaking at the prestigious Judge Ora Polk 2025 Contest.
The Metro East St. Louis Community Initiative (501c3) (MESLCI) will kickoff the Judge Ora Polk Oratorical Contest on Sunday, February 16, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. from the Alpha Plex at 8601 Washington St. East St. Louis, IL 62203.
The contest is named in honor of Polk, a native East St. Louisan, noted scholar, and advocate for education. Polk served the East St. Louis Public School District as a teacher and later as principal of Dunbar Elementary School for 30 years. Dunbar’s faculty, administration and students excelled under his leadership.
As a former jurist in St. Clair County, Polk’s footprints remain in East St Louis, and the partnership with the Fraternity and the Foundation provides a platform for students to make their voices heard.
The contest allows high school students to express themselves on selected topics of interest within society that reflect the issues of today. The 2024 oratorical theme is: “The Preservation of Teaching Black History in the Classroom: A Charge We Must Keep.”
“The oratorical contest was one of the signature programs of The Foundation that gives the opportunity to highlight the talent our young people,” stated Wilfert Lee, MESLCI board chairman. We are excited to remember the works of Judge Polk and hear the oratorical prowess of these high school students.”
During the oratorical competition, the recognition of two individuals from the East St. Louis area to receive the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award.
#OratoricalExcellence #YouthVoices2025 #PolkContest
